The Carver's House

Well, not exactly my first play. I had written a full-length play in the late nineties and submitted it to a competition in Singapore. I'm glad it didn't win. I saw a copy of it some time back, and it was horrendous. Last April, I took a risk. Before my month-long trip to New Zealand, I spent a little over a week writing this one-act play, "Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady," and sent it to the screening committee of The Virgin Labfest, a festival of untested plays organized by Tanghalang Pilipino and The Writer's Bloc. I was lucky enough to get a slot among the ten that were chosen to be staged this coming June. This play is a bit of a reunion of sorts. The director chosen for the play was Chris Martinez, whom you know as the talented man behind such films as "I Do Bidoo Bidoo" and "Here Comes the Bride." But he's also the guy who adapted my Zaturnnah graphic novel for the musical stage. Also, part of the cast is Skyzx Labastilla, ...

Some of you may have already seen this illustration over at the Zaturnnah Facebook page . I'm reposting it here, the before and after versions. (Click on image to enlarge) Incidentally, Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal earned seven nominations from the 2nd Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts. The Tanghalang Pilipino hit musical is vieing for the following awards: OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL Eula Valdes OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL Nar Cabico Joey Paras OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION Vincent De Jesus OUTSTANDING MUSICAL COMPOSITION Vincent De Jesus Congratulations to Tanghalang Pilipino! See the complete list of noms at Gibbs Cadiz's blog .

Tanghalang Pilipino’s 23rd Theater Season (2009-2010), which pays tribute to “Women of Substance”, culminates with Rody Vera’s Tatlong Mariya , an adaptation of Three Sisters , the timeless classic by Anton Chekhov. Using contemporary language, Vera’s brilliant rendering breathes an entirely new, maybe even irreverent interpretation of Chekhovian characters that are teeming with the heavy human emotions of despair, hope, boredom, longing, anger and love. From turn-of-the-century Russia, the play will move to a remote small Northern Luzon town during the first decade of Martial Law. Tatlong Mariya portrays the life of the Ballesteros sisters, as they struggle to liberate themselves from the dreariness and hopelessness of their provincial existence, and yearn for the excitement of Manila, where their once happy and respectable life used to be. The play will be presented in a theater-in-the-round setting, making the production more challenging for the director and the performers, and mor...

After helming the critically-acclaimed production of Atang: Dulang may Musika , director Alexander Cortez returns with Ang Muntik Nang Di Mapigilang Paghahari ni Arturo Ui*, an adaptation of the play by Bertolt Brecht . The play chronicles the rise of mobster Arturo Ui in Chicago during the Depression, as he orchestrates his control over the local green-grocery trade before eventually facing his own psychosis. Audiences will note the parallels between Brecht's play with the story of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. The Dulaang UP adaptation will feature Randy Villarama, Floy Quintos, Meynard Peñalosa, Mitoy Sta.Ana, Sugus Legazpi, Inno Martin, Nicco Manalo, Carlo Cannu, Vincent Pajara, Sigmund Pecho, Natasha Cabrera, Martha Sta. Barbara, and the Dulaang UP ensemble. Filipino adaptation by Katherine Sabate, Patrick Valera and Joshua So, music composition by Diwa de Leon and choreography by Dexter Santos. Musical Direction by Krina Cayabyab, lighting design by John Batalla, special effe...

Here's a poster I recently art directed--including bloody Photoshop work. It's for Dulaang UP's upcoming play Lulu , written by Frank Wedekind . (Filipino translation by Joel Saracho) From the press release: " Lulu is a story of a person who has no qualms about the body and its sexual needs. Lulu, who is the alluring woman in the English version and the captivating transsexual in Filipino, is a being able to explore and express her desires without compromise or guilt. Adored and lusted by men, women and creatures of the world, she takes them to a dance of bodily freedom, of the mind’s liberation and of utter ecstasy. But like any other person, Lulu searches for the other that could accept and understand her seemingly deviant nature." Because of its sensitive themes, Lulu is for mature audiences only. Che Ramos will play the title role in the English version, while Tuxqs Rutaquio does likewise for the Filipino version. Direction and choreography is by Dexter Sant...

Haven't blogged because my mind has gone sluggish, making it hard to work. Plus I've been feeling quite irritable. I attribute these to the nicotine withdrawal--already on my 22nd day--but I've been pushing to keep myself perky and positive. Anyway, the last movie I saw was Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat , a flick I expected to enjoy because I adored Ang Tanging Ina . The new Ai-Ai delas Alas starrer was entertaining enough, and its dramatic moments did well to avoid the histrionics. The overall film, however, didn't match the sincerity I felt with the first film. Still worth a watch, though. I'm excited to see Thank You Girls . And has anyone seen Love Me Again ? - - - - - - - - - I went to a feng shui event last Saturday. The coming Chinese New Year is the year of the Earth Ox. Lucky number is nine. Lucky colors are purple and green. Keep the north part of the house quiet and the south part of the house active. Monkeys will have a fanastic year. The publishing indu...

Ohhh-kay... here's the first round of info that has yet to be confirmed about the February 2009 run of the Zaturnnah musical. Again, I'm still awaiting the final confirmation, though these dates are almost good to go. Feb 6, 13 (Fri) 8PM Feb 7, 14 (Sat) 3PM & 8PM Feb 8, 15 (Sun) 3PM & 8PM Mar 6 (Fri) 8PM Mar 7 (Sat) 3PM & 8PM Mar 8 (Sun) 3PM & 8PM That's a total of 15 shows. Ticket prices will be at P500, P600 and P700. (Still pretty reasonable, if you compare them with the ticket prices of other professional theater companies.) More to come as new info rolls in, particularly that important bit about getting tickets.

I've never had a strong interest for kundiman or the sarsuela , so I watched Dulaang UP's Atang just for the performances. But when my tears started to fall during the latter part of the second act, I knew this was one for the blog. I don't remember the time when a stage production moved me so much to the point of a hangover. Directed by Alex Cortez with script by Floy Quintos and music by Von de Guzman, Atang is a story of love, sacrifice, artistic integrity, and finding one's place in the world. Young film actress Guia Almonte interviews the venerable Atang de la Rama in the latter's Tondo home. Since Guia had been given the chance to play the title role in an Atang biofilm, what better way to do research than to talk to the "Queen of Kundiman" herself? During the course of the musical, we not only celebrate the triumphs of Atang as an entertainment superstar during pre-War Philippines, we also learn of the hardships she endured during her marriage to...

Here are a couple of posters I did for the American Community Theater (Hongkong) through dear friend Mida , who used to perform for that group. This was four years ago, and I remember being really excited about doing their production posters. I've always wanted to add that "commercial" element to theater posters since, after all, they're supposed to attract attention and sell shows. If a theater poster was too artsy, or too symbolic, then how can the common citizen with extra cash know what the play was about? Yes, it's possible to draw crowds into a theater by the strength of a poster. But that poster has to hit its intended audience at the core.

Looks like the Broadway musical adaptation of Spiderman is becoming spectacular even in production cost. News all over the web is pinning the warbling webslinger's stage debut at $30 to $40 million, the highest bank breaker in Broadway so far. Just to give you an idea of how expensive that is, the films Cloverfield , The Sixth Sense , and Chicago had production budgets hovering around that amount. (I couldn't find resources on Broadway musical budgets.) Superman had his try at a stage musical over 40 years ago, when "It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's Superman" debuted on Broadway. The musical was later adapted into a television special. And, yes, Tanghalang Pilipino had already asked me about adapting the Zaturnnah sequel for the stage. I naturally agreed, but I'll have to get the book out first. (shiver)

From the Tanghalang Pilipino email blast: Tanghalang Pilipino will hold new auditions for the cast of the sarswela adaptation of Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (originally a 1976 film directed by Eddie Romero) on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, 2008, from 1-8 PM at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining (Multi-Purpose Hall), 4th Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Those interested to be part of the production are required to submit their resume together with 2 pictures (a head shot and a full-body photo) and to prepare two songs - a kundiman and a contemporary Filipino pop ballad - and a short dance or movement piece. Roles to be filled include a young boy (6-17 years old) and the Filipino lead and supporting characters. Those with Chinese, Indian, Spanish and American features are encouraged to audition as well. For inquiries and other details, please call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3661 or 832-1125 local 1620 / 1621 or email ccpt...

When I appeared in Angels In America over a decade ago (my debut in professional theater), the reviews about my performance weren't very encouraging, so much so that I cried, nearly bawling my eyes out. I only got one glowing review--from the Manila Chronicle--which likened my performance to William Holden on Sunset Boulevard. While that piece of positive feedback did elevate my spirits, it wasn't enough to convince me that my performance was worth something in the entirety of Tony Kushner's opus. I only resolved to do my best in the remaining performances, and accept the truth that I was the "professional newbie" who didn't have years of hard theater acting experience compared to my fellow cast members. And there have been no regrets--1995 was still the best year of my life. (The image below was lifted from The Bachelor Girl . That's me on the top left--yes, I had hair. Also in the picture (clockwise, from top left): Tami Monsod, Lorna Lopez, Ebong Joson...

Last Saturday, I sacrificed sleep time in favor of filling up the day with three plays. The first was PETA's Skin Deep , a satiric romp on the ups and downs of cosmetic surgery written by Vince de Jesus. (I was late for this one--the show was 10 in the morning.) Mid-afternoon found me at the University of The Philippines for Dulaang UP's Orosman at Zafira , penned in verse by Francisco Balagtas, but reworked with music and stunning choreography, complemented by delicious production design. After dinner, it was intimate theater with Last Order sa Penguin , the Palanca award-winning play of Chris Martinez. I'm not the best at providing critique for shows like these, but suffice to say I liked them all at varying levels. Then again, it was a bit tough keeping my mind 100% open throughout the day because of the sleep deprivation, but it wasn't enough to stop me from being entertained. Thanks to those who offered complimentary tickets. You know who you are. I really would li...

I've been on a book binge for some strange reason. Maybe I miss the new book smell, or maybe I feel the urgent need to update what I already know. Just tonight I ordered a few books from Amazon, adding to those I've been recently buying off the bookstore shelves. They're mostly self-help books, with a few titles on fitness, health, comics, and drawing thrown in. I've a few selections of fiction, too, though I get those from Booksale. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Caught Spiderman III last Saturday with Marco , El , Jonas and Marcel at the Eastwood cinemas, lamenting thereafter the laughable "plot twist" that did the movie in. As they say, the butler did it. In this third, and worst, installment of the successful comic book movie franchise, we could have been spared the sloppy narrative and sequencing and mostly uninspired performances IF the butler didn't do a Remains of the Day by keeping his mouth shut throughout Spidey's ...

As you may have guessed, this poster is a combination of five pieces of art. Took me a total of four nights on and off to do it. I'm not brilliant in coloring as, say, Ed Tadeo or Joel Chua, but I think the overall effect works. We hope to start selling this 23" x 35" thing by the opening night of the Zaturnnah musical rerun. That's Friday next week. But I'm sure it'll find it's way to a retail store sooner or later.

It's like the Energizer bunny. Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal continues with a fourth run for 10 shows at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute. After bagging an Aliw Award for her performance in the musical, Eula Valdes will once more strut her stuff from January 19 to 28. The usual suspects will also be there--Tuxqs Rutaquio, Joey Paras, Arnold Reyes, Agot Isidro, and Kalila Aguilos. Select shows will feature Janvier Daily (I may be wrong about the spelling), who'll show off his sinews as the new Dodong. For more information, call Tanghalang Pilipino through 832-3661, or visit Ticketworld outlets. The original cast recording is in its final production stages, and will debut on opening night. Ballyhoo Records will produce and market the 20-track double-disc set nationwide as well as online. Tuxqs and I were able to dip our drums yesterday in Vince DeJesus' remixed and remastered obra, and were bowled over by the new tricks he added in the arrangement of some of the songs. So for...

Sights I got myself some new eyeglasses yesterday from Sabater Optical at Galleria, weeks after the annual physical exam recommended that it's time for a change. My astigmatism worsened from 150 to 180 over the last four years. I can't do contacts. I don't have the discipline, nor the grace, to properly maintain them. They say that contact lenses lessen eyebags, but that's not enough of a reason for me to switch. And I actually like wearing eyeglasses--they make me look somewhat intellectual. It would be fun, though, to try those colored, non-graded lenses. I wonder what I look like with grey eyes. Anyway... Saw Tanghalng Pilipino's Bakeretta last night. There was a snag in the press releases, though. Everyone thought that Bakeretta was a horror production, "somewhat in the tradition of Japanese horror films like Ring and The Grudge ." There were some horror elements, yes, but Bakeretta as a whole is more a drama, about a small theater company rehearsi...

Worlds Colliding The third run of the Zaturnnah musical ended successfully last Sunday night. I was only able to attend the last show, and saw that the production added a few more gags and punchlines to keep up with the times. I like the idea that the musical seems to evolve with every run. If what Zee says is true, there may be a fourth run. The last show was made even more surreal with the presence of Zsa Zsa Padilla, Rustom Padilla, Chokoleit and Pops Fernandez in the audience. They were accompanied by manager Arnold Vegafria, Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde and Roselle Monteverde-Teo. (The day before, director Joel Lamangan caught the show.) After the show, I exchanged pleasantries with Quark Henares, and I saw Tim Yap in the balcony section. So Zaturnnah, Ada, Didi and Queen Femina of film-to-be sat there as Zaturnnah, Ada, Didi, and Queen Femina of theater did their darndest. It was the most surreal experience. So surreal that I found myself unable to approach them during the pos...

As if 26 shows weren't enough, Zsazsa Zaturnnah: Ze Muzikal leaps back to its homebase--CCP's Tanghalang Huseng Batute--for five more shows this June 16 to 18, as part of the International Theater Festival to be hosted this year by the Philippines. The festival will stage productions from the Asia-Pacific and ASEAN regions. Then there's rumors a-buzzing that the musical will make overseas curtain calls in Japan and the US. Again, these are still rumors. For the past how many weeks, I've been getting texts asking me to confirm a few rumors to which I'm near-oblivious to, but I guess that's all part of the deal. One of those rumors involves Jennylyn Mercado playing Zaturnnah in the film adaptation. However, the most recent development has Rufa Mae Quinto and Ogie Alcasid as all-systems-go to play Zaturnnah and Ada, respectively. In a television interview, Zsazsa Padilla had expressed desire to play Zaturnnah, though I'm not privy to the whole casting backgrou...